I have been planning to do a post on “how to beat the winter blues” but this winter has been unseasonably mild, with the occasional colder day thrown in to remind everyone that it is in fact January. On Saturday, Beyonce and Jay Z welcomed their new bundle of joy, Blue Ivy. So it seems only fitting that I plunge forward on this subject and dedicate this piece to their lovely daughter Blue Ivy.
If you can’t beat the blues, might as well join ‘em!
Next time you’re stuck inside on a bone chilling day, wouldn’t it be fun to introduce your kids to the cartoons we grew up on?!? Last summer’s hit The Smurfs the Movie is available DVD and Pay-per-view/On Demand. There is a place. A place that knows no sadness, where even feeling blue is a happy thing. A place inhabited by little blue beings three apples high. It lies deep within an enchanted forest, hidden away beyond the medieval village. Most people believe this place is made up, only to be found in books or children’s imagination. Well, we beg to differ. La, la, la la la….
The Blue Day Book: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up – Amazon.com
Perfect for those downer days when your child needs a pick-me-up, The Blue Day Book for Kids magnificently pairs striking animal photographs and inspirational thoughts to re-create the magic Bradley Trevor Greive (BTG) tapped into with the original New York Times best-sellerbook. The deceptively simple, imaginative story line reflects a child’s sensibility about the symptoms, causes, and cures for those times when children feel tired, grumpy, left out, or think that nothing ever goes as they planned. Even on days when brussels sprouts are served at dinner . . . a cherished toy must be shared . . . a homework avalanche looms . . . or a silly mistake is made in front of friends or family, The Blue Day Book for Kids provides children with a literary umbrella to laugh off the unexpected rain life can bring.
When we look good, we feel better, especially when we’re warm and cozy:
Classic Mittens 500 – two tone
7 A.M.® Enfant Baby Mittens provided with elasticized wrists and a velcro closure are easy to put on and off. Waterproof and ready for wet winters, insulated and fleece lined they will keep your baby’s hands very warm and comfortable during the cold winter months. Shown in blue, they are also available in many different colors.
Who’s still feeling blue? Hope you’re seeing the world through rose-colored glasses now!
Stroller Snack Time Upgraded To First Class
I live in NYC where my stroller is my primary mode of transportation and basically the equivalent of my automobile. Even when I was single and before I had family on my brain, to me the Bugaboo™ was the epitome of the perfect, happily-ever-after family. I have gotten practically every accessory available for the Bugaboo in order to customize mine and make it ever more user-friendly than it already is. These extra gadgets include the texthook, doodle wheels, seat covers, cupholder, footmuff, universal organizer and parasol.
I am extremely excited to be adding one of the glaring accessories that had been missing from my souped up stroller - a tray for my son to eat off of and do activities on. The Tray Vous® was created by Lauren Moore, a busy mom looking to make life easier for her family.
My husband immediately took a liking to our Tray Vous because of the ease of installation. All he needed to do was snap it into place where the handlebar attaches. Once in place, it reminded me of being on an airplane. My son’s stroller snacktime has been instantly upgraded to first-class. While I am extremely lucky that Ian is almost always good in his stroller, the Tray Vous has made sitting in his Bugaboo much more fun for him and allows him to be more independent. Plus, I was able to reclaim my cupholder. Sometimes it’s the little things in life that matter most!
To purchase a Tray Vous or for additional information, visit trayvous.com.
Hello 2012! The holidays and all the hoopla they bring with it are officially behind us. While we can’t really complain about harsh winter weather this season, for many, there aren’t any big holiday celebrations to look forward to for quite some time. Unless you choose to celebrate Cuddle Up Day which falls annually on January 6th.
Cuddle Up Day is an opportunity to snuggle up to someone on a cold winters’ day or night. Chances are it’s cold outside. So, cozy up to a special someone, and enjoy the warmth and love. This day is enjoyed by both young and old.
I don’t know about you, but I never need a reason or excuse to cuddle up with my two favorite guys. Our family’s favorite Yo Gabba Gabba song is “Hugs are Fun” and that’s exactly what we intend to do this Friday.
Have fun cuddling! Absolutely no need to thank me for making you aware of this occasion!
Admit it–you bought into all the marketing and holiday hype and without even realizing it, you went a little overboard on the amount of presents your children received. All the gifts have been unwrapped, played with and at least a few might already be broken and/or missing some of its pieces.
Now you’re feeling very stressed and anxious over where you are going to store all of it. Don’t you wish you just had a dump truck to make it all disappear and bring some semblence back to your home sweet home? Your prayers have been answered…..
Just Kids Stuff Dumptruck Toy Chest …
What better place to dump toys than in your own little dump truck? Mounted on casters, it can haul loads of stuff from room to room. Hand made from Baltic Birch laminate and other solid woods. Available in Dark Blue, Red or Yellow. Assembly required. 17″ H x 19.5″ W x 36-29″ D.
If that’s not your style, here’s some other possibilities to consider where the kids might actually help with clean-up time:
Levels of Discovery Stack-A-Buddies Storage Unit
The Levels of Discovery Stack-A-Buddies Storage Unit is great for both boys and girls. It features stackable “train car” blocks to store books, toys, and stuffed animals. Fun painted designs keep the look light and vibrant, and add a cute element to playrooms or bedrooms. Slow-closing metal safety hinge. Assembly required. 9W x 10D x 7H inches
Crayola Draw N Store Giant Toy Box | Overstock.com
Your little artist can use this to store his/her art supplies as well as draw on the chalkboard. Crayola licensed Giant Toy Chest offers attractive storage with a lift off reversible top which serves as a chalkboard surface. Assembly Required. 32.9 x 20.9 x 8.5 in.
Chickens, cows and elephants to name a few. What a fun way to get your child organized with this great child organizational product. Folding hampers and toy storage bags that are perfect organizing products to create kids room storage space. Great for organizing a bedroom or organizing a playroom. Toy storage made easy. Your Barnyard Bongo Buddy will make putting things away exciting and fun. If you’re looking for a new friend, there are currently 11 buddies to choose from. Each Bongo Buddy is made of durable nylon in an array of colors and is moisture resistant. Cleaning can be accomplished by using a damp cloth. Quality stitching provides strength to endure the expected wear and tear. This item does not have a zipper. 18 x 24
Has your child starting working on his/her birthday gift list yet? lol!
As parents, we wear many different hats as we raise our children including role model, mentor, nurterer, problem-solver, cheerleader and figurehead. Our kids look up to us and follow in our footsteps so it is extremely important to set good examples and strive to be the best we can be. Each of us have strengths and weakness and there are certain areas where we each could use some self-improvement. My New Year’s Resolution is to be much less concerned with what other people think.
Other possible New Year’s resolutions include:
•Gossip less
•Eat more fruits and veggies (no, that does not mean carrot cake and strawberry shortcake!)
•Don’t use foul language (If it’s something you don’t want your child to say, it shouldn’t be coming out of your mouth either)
•Exercise more frequently
•Do not use smart phones/blackberries/ipads during family meal times
Please share your New Year’s Resolution with us.
Don’t Make Me Blog About This Mug ($17.00)
It seems nowadays that everyone and their mother (pun included) has a blog and would enjoy displaying this mug.
I’M A PARENT? JOURNAL ($15.99)
There’s nothing more terrifying than becoming a parent. The I’m A Parent? Journal is filled with playful prompts and candid quotations to help assuage the challenges that parenting inevitably presents. Makes it easier to face those inevitable uncertainties! Featuring over 70 sympathetic quotes to enjoy. The perfect gift for every new or expecting parent! Measures 7 x 9.5 inches, 160 pages. Paperback with lay-flat binding. Full-color throughout. Sassy ribbon page marker.
riotous riotBar gift set ($24.99)
This set of six riotBars is the perfect introduction to this delicious Fair Trade Certified and Organic dark chocolate collection. 60% with nibs for the cacao enthusiast, PURE 70% for that 4 PM pick me up, and PURE 85%, the intense dark you’ve been waiting for. A flavor for every mood! Each bar has thirty squares. Each of the squares is ONLY 21-22 calories.
Eight Maids a Milking- Half Pint Garden ($15.00)
The cute Half Pint Garden is an herb growing kit cleverly wrapped in a milk carton-like package. The kit includes a square, white ceramic container, peat pellets and three packs of herb seeds (basil, mint and thyme). Simply remove package, add water to the peat pellets and sow the seeds. Place on a window sill and watch nature at work!
Positivity Glass ($15)
Perfect for optimists, this fun glass is always half full. So think positive, and drink up! Marked with “Half Full,” and “Half Empty” labels, and crafted with sturdy glass. Approx. 5” tall & 3” wide
Butter & Jam Spreader$7.00 http://www.leifshop.com/product/butter-jam-spreader
Make sure they know where their bread is buttered! Worthy of a modern day tea party, this chic spreader is perfect for butter and jam (perhaps on a scone?) in addition to condiments and spreads. Made in France. Dishwasher safe.
Candy Coal – 5oz ($8.00)
Everyone knows that Santa gives all the naughty girls and boys coal for Christmas, but if you’re afraid he might have overlooked someone, you can give a bag of coal yourself. The candy coal is cinnamon candy that looks like real coal, and you can always tell who has been naughty Christmas morning, since this candy will temporarily turn your mouth blue!
Don’t sweat the small stuff and keep the holidays fun!
You may be struggling to shed your post-pregnancy weight, can’t remember the last time you showered, have spit-up covering your clothes and dark circles under your eyes from too many sleepless nights, but becoming a mom doesn’t have to mean losing your fashion sense completely.
This Little Piggy Went to Prada: Nursery Rhymes for the Blahnik Brigade ($19.99)
Gone are the days of lounging around reading mindless chick-lit without a care in the world, but Amy Allen’s irresistible This Little Piggy Went to Prada: Nursery Rhymes for the Blahnik Brigade is a book you don’t have to fake liking as you read aloud to your brand new bff. Filled from cover to cover with sumptuous full color illustrations by Eun-Kyung Kung, This Little Piggy Went to Prada presents classic nursery rhymes with a thoroughly modern and charmingly ironic spin that will make the most sleepless fashionista mom smile, even when she’s knee-deep in diapers. 72 pages; hardcover.
Charmed to Meet You
Instead of wearing your heart on your sleeve, a very trendy “Mom Obsession” of the moment is personalized jewelry, particularly your child’s initials. Here are few options at various price points:
Jewelry designer (and Tobey Maguire’s wife) Jennifer Meyer makes initial disc charms which are available in rose, white or yellow gold. Available at Barney’s. Warning: At $1,500, you may have to auction off your first-born to be able to afford it!
A less expensive option, yet still highly stylish is LETTER from Albeit Jewelry ($310)
Create a Beautiful Heirloom with Life Cast Sculptures of Your Baby’s Hands And Feet
With Wrightson & Platt life cast sculptures you can turn the tiny perfection of your newborn into a timeless keepsake. Master artists work with parents to create sculptures in gold, silver, lead crystal glass and bronze that are intricately detailed and beautifully personal, from every small wrinkle of your child’s hands right down to the curve of her toes. The next time you sit marveling at how fast your baby is growing up, let Wrightson & Platt step in and help you capture these precious pieces of your child’s life. For more information, visit wrightsonandplatt.com.
It is highly recommended that you print out this post and/or forward via email, post on Facebook or do whatever else you need to so that your baby’s daddy rewards you appropriately for giving him the gift of life.
It’s a very good thing that calories don’t count over the holidays! So leave the milk and cookies for Santa and indulge in these outrageous goodies which also make wonderful presents for loved ones….
Chocolate Snowmen ($33)
Celebrate the season with L.A. Burdick’s delectable hand-dipped chocolate snowmen. Each snowman is hand-piped with clementine and dark chocolate ganache, topped with a roasted hazelnut, dipped in white chocolate, then finished with a dark chocolate top hat. Each wood box is stamped with a silver snowflake wax seal. It’s hard for grown-ups not to feel all warm inside after devouring this Frosty.
Holiday Truffle Collection, 32 piece ($78.00)
Deck the halls with a collection of Vosges seasonal chocolate parfums designed to lure your palate into the holiday spirit. Untie the purple grosgrain ribbon to reveal eight of each seasonal chocolate truffle flavor inside a shimmering silver box. Each box includes an enclosure card that details the story behind its inspiration. The limited edition Holiday Truffle Collection parfums include:
Marrone Pistacchio (new!) – Italian chestnuts + Sicilian pistachios + 45% cacao deep milk chocolate
Plum Pudding – plum + Armagnac + marzipan + 65% dark chocolate
Peppermint Candy Cane – peppermint candy cane + 65% dark chocolate
Eggnog and Jamaican Rum – Appleton Estate rum + Grenadian nutmeg + ginger + Dominican Republic white chocolate
Chocolate Figs – 6pc ($22)
These chocolate figs are as good as they get. John & Kira’s import tender, organic dried Calabacita figs from a small family farm in Spain then personally fill them with a silky smooth, whiskey infused Valrhona dark chocolate ganache. They are then hand-dipped in 62% dark chocolate and carefully placed in their own gift box . . . finished with a letter-pressed card. The press these figs have received would make any aspiring actor envious. They appeared on the Martha Stewart Show and have been featured not once but twice in Oprah‘s magazine. Wine Spectator loves them as well.
For those celebrating the Festival of Lights:
8 Nights of Hanukkah ($40.00) Festive “8 Nights of Hanukkah” lets you give a delicious treat every night! 6oz. bag of milk and dark chocolate drizzled popcorn, 4oz. bag of hand dipped chocolate potato chips, 4 pack of chocolate dipped oreo cookies with chocolate Star of David, and blue sprinkles, 1 mini chocolate & crispy pizza with blue and white sprinkles and Star of David enhancement, 3 pack chocolate sprinkles pretzel logs, 4 pack of chocolate chip cookies 1/2 dipped in white chocolate with blue sprinkles, 1 half solid milk chocolate dreidle, and 1 solid milk chocolate menorah with enhancements.
Gifts that even come with a New Year’s resolution! Savor the final weeks of 2011. Here’s to a super sweet and delicious 2012 where all treats should come by the dozen!
I have a tiny confession….I think my son is going to be the next Justin Bieber. Hey, a mom can only dream! Plus providing youngsters who show any inclination towards music with some of these items might help them on their way to being inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame.
Tolo Classic Trumpet ($12.98)
The youngest member of the band can now “Toot Toot” three different sounds with his own lightweight, easy to play trumpet. Bright primary colors and an easy grip handle make this a winning instrument for one year olds.
The Dance on Keyboard ($39.95)
This keyboard mat allows budding virtuosos to compose their own music as they dance, jump, or run on the keys. Fourteen white and 10 black keys–almost two full octaves–produce individual tones or melodic harmonies. Nearly 6′ long, the keyboard is large enough for duets, and musicians can record and instantly listen to their compositions or tap along with prerecorded songs. The mat replicates the sounds of eight instruments (piano, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, banjo, oboe, violin, and vibraphone). Requires four AA batteries. For ages 3 and up. 72″ L x 30″ W. (2 3/4 lbs.)
Plan Toy Musical Band ($54.00)
Plan Toy Musical Band is a complete drum set for preschoolers. It comes with two drums, a metal cymbal, guiro and two drumsticks. This set stands over 13″ tall – just the right size for young musicians. The drums are made of hardwood with strong and resilient latex drumheads, built for years of drumming. This set encourages your child to develop his sense of rhythm and music – great for building an early math skills foundation. Musical Band is a fun set for budding musicians. This musical toy enhances hand-eye coordination and boosts concentration skill as it helps children to become little musicians.
The perfect t-shirt for rehearsals:
When I Grow Up, I want to be… a Rock Star ($15.00 and up) features a child wearing hip sunglasses with a guitar, ready to rock out. All t-shirts are white and 100% cotton. They are available in a variety of sizes, including the following: Infant, Toddler, Youth and Adult.
Wonder how much concert tickets will cost when our kids are in college!